The bar chart compares employment rates among males and females in six countries – Australia, Switzerland, Ireland, the UK, New Zealand and the USA – in 1995 and 2005.
Overall, employment rates were generally higher among men than women in both years, although male employment increased considerably over the period while the figures for females showed more varied patterns. Ireland recorded the highest male employment rate in 2005, whereas Switzerland had the highest proportion of employed women.
In terms of male employment, the proportion rose in every country between 1995 and 2005. The most notable figures were seen in Ireland, where the rate climbed from approximately 70% to just over 80%, the highest level shown on the chart. Similarly, Switzerland experienced a substantial increase of around 13 percentage points, from roughly 65% to 78%. Male employment also grew in the UK, New Zealand and the USA, reaching approximately 72%, 71% and 71%, respectively. Australia, meanwhile, saw a more moderate rise from about 55% to just under 70%.
Female employment followed a less consistent pattern. Switzerland remained the leading country for women, with its figure increasing from around 55% to nearly 68%. The rates in Australia and the USA also rose significantly, reaching approximately 38% and 60%, respectively. By contrast, female employment declined markedly in Ireland, falling from about 52% to 40%, and in New Zealand, where it dropped from around 40% to 25%. The UK was the only country to record virtually no change, with the figure remaining at approximately 62%.